Queen's Diamond Jubilee 2-the church

Post date: Dec 15, 2011 2:25:26 PM

Wateringbury Parish Magazine, July 1897 reported on the special service held in connection with the Diamond Jubilee as follows:

THE DIAMOND JUBILEE—The 60th anniversary of the accession of Queen Victoria was celebrated in the Church of Wateringbury , as in all the Churches in the land, on the 20th of June. The order of service appointed for the day was duly followed with some additions in the way of special hymns. Mattins was begn with ‘’God save the Queen," with the following appropriate special verse in the place of the ordinary second verse

Through all these sixty years,

Through all her joys and tears,

Through peace and war,

Thou hast upheld her throne,

While round it love has grown,

Binding wide realms in one

All the world o'er.

Novello’s edition of special hymns was used—certainly the most effective of all the numerous compilations-and as the congregation had practised them on two occasions, they were sung with enthusiasm and were not a mere choir performance. The special responses, too, set to music like that of the ordinary responses, were sung smoothly and reverently. The sermons at both Mattins and Evensong, and also at The Children’s Service dwelt upon the thankfulness due to Almighty God for the many blessings bestowed upon the realm and indeed upon the world, in the person of Victoria the Good. Evensong was closed, as Mattins had been commenced , with the National Anthem. - The offertories, given to the Queen Victoria Clergy Sustentation Fund, realised between seven and eight pounds.

For more snippets on Victoria's Diamond Jubilee see Queen's Diamond Jubilee.